Complete Game Notes (pdf)
This week’s game
The Terriers enter the final stretch of the season with a trip to Charleston this weekend to face The Citadel ... Wofford was defeated 34-6 at home last Saturday by sixth-ranked Elon ... The Citadel is entering the game after a 28-16 win over Samford ... The Terriers have won the last ten meetings in the series ... Wofford has the nation’s best rushing attack and are eleventh in the country in sacks allowed ... Injuries have been taking their toll on the Terriers this season and as a result, Wofford has had 34 different players earn starts this season ... The Terriers and Bulldogs are not ranked ... The game will be broadcast by SportSouth.
About Wofford
Wofford is 2-6 in the 2009 season with a 40-7 loss at the University of South Florida, a 42-14 win at home against Charleston Southern, a 44-14 loss at Wisconsin, SoCon losses to Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Elon, plus a win over Western Carolina. Wofford returned 44 letterwinners from last season, including four offensive starters, five defensive starters and three specialists. In addition, three other players with at least two starts return for Wofford. Wofford runs the wingbone offense, led by sophomore quarterback Mitch Allen and backs Mike Rucker and Sean Lees. The rushing offense is first in the nation with 258.00 yards per game, but the passing offense is last in the NCAA. The multiple defense is led by first team All-SoCon defensive lineman Mitch Clark and senior linebacker Gary Blount. Wofford had five players named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team. OL Pat Illig and DL Mitch Clark earned first team honors, while OL Trey Johnson, LB Gary Blount, DL Eric Eberhardt and DB Mychael Johnson were named to the second team. The Terriers were picked to finish second in the Southern Conference by the coaches and third by the media in the 2009 Preseason Polls.
About The Citadel
The Citadel is 4-4 on the season and 2-3 in Southern Conference play after back-to-back wins over Furman and Samford. Head Coach Kevin Higgins is in his fifth season as head coach with a 24-29 record in Charleston and a 80-54-1 overall record in thirteen seasons. The Bulldogs return 33 lettermen and 18 starters from the 2008 season in which the team posted a 4-8 record. They were 2-6 in SoCon play to finish seventh. On offense, they are led by quarterback Miguel Starks who is 37 of 59 with one touchdown and one interception. Quarterbacks Bart Blanchard and Tommy Edwards have also seen time behind center this season. Receiver Andre Roberts has 54 catches for 554 yards and 5 touchdowns and is 15th in the nation in receptions per game. Miguel Starks is also the leading rusher with 385 yards on 86 carries with five touchdowns. On defense, Jordon Gilmore leads the team with 70 total tackles along with a sack and two tackles for loss. Cortez Allen and Joseph Boateng each have three interceptions. Kyle Anderson has the team high in tackles for loss with nine, including three sacks.
The Citadel Series
Wofford and The Citadel have played 61 times, with the Bulldogs holding a 40-20-1 lead in the series. Wofford has won the last ten games and have an 11-2 lead in game played since the Terriers joined the Southern Conference. At Johnson Hagood Stadium, the Bulldogs have a 18-8 lead, but Wofford has won in each of the last five trips to Charleston. Overall, The Citadel has a 27-8-1 lead in all games played in Charleston. Head coach Mike Ayers is 14-9 all-time against the Bulldogs (12-8 Wofford and 2-1 at ETSU).
Terrier Top Ten
Here are the top ten notes of interest heading into The Citadel game:
• The Terriers are first in the nation in rushing with 258.00 yards per game in 2009
• Fourteen players made their first career starts at South Florida and a total of 20 players have marked their first starts this season
• The Terriers have had only ten players start all seven games this season
• Wofford had five players named Preseason All-SoCon
• Wofford has six players among the top 25 rushers in the conference
• The Terriers have been led in tackles by five different players in the eight games this season
• Mike Rucker is second all-time in kickoff return yards with 1,833 and second in kickoff
returns with 81
• Wofford leads the SoCon in rushing and kickoff returns
• Wofford will end a streak of seven consecutive winning seasons dating back to 2002
• The offensive line is eleventh in the nation in fewest sacks allowed
Injury Update
Wofford opened the season without running back Jeremy Marshall, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the 2008 Appalachian State game. Freshmen HB Cody Burris (clavicle) and TE Kenny Barnes (knee) will also miss the season after injuries in August camp. LB Ricco Braxton (knee, out for season), FB Eric Breitenstein (knee, out for season), DE Mitch Clark (pectoral muscle/ankle), OL Nate Page (concussion), HB Derek Boyce (knee, out for season), Hunter Hobson (knee, out for season), HB Brad Nocek (foot), TE Brad Miller (shoulder) and LB Mike Niam (knee, out for season) were out of the Elon game due to injury. During the Elon game, there were no significant injuries.
